Advertising device



Nov. 15, 1938. G. H. FORSYTH 2,136,429

ADVERTISING DEVICE Filed June 22, 1936 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. .George H Forsy/h ATTORNEY.

Nov. 15, 1938 G. H. FORSYTH 2,136,429-

' ADVERTISING DEVICE Filed June 22, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNEY Patented Nov. 15, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

My invention relates to means for providing a selected illumination of display spaces and is concerned particularly with a lighting arrangement especially adapted for use in mercantile establishments to attract trade. The general arrangement of my invention is to provide a luminous beam which is moved in such fashion as to attract the attention of passers-by and to illuminate merchandise on display in a given location.

An object of my invention is to provide means for attractively illuminating a given space.

Another object of my invention is to provide a moving illumination by a travelling light beam following a predetermined path.

A further object of my invention is to provide means for directing the attentionv of passers-by to a mercantile establishment.

The foregoing and other objects are attained in the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings, in which-- Fig. 1 is a plan of a mercantile establishment showing the use of my invention in connection therewith.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section the plane of which is indicated by the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-section of 'a lighting unit in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 4 is a cross-section the plane of which is indicated by the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of a drive mechanism of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a cross-section the plane of which is indicated by the line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig- 7 is a cross-section similar to Fig. 4 but showing a modified form of lighting unit in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 8 is a cross-section the plane of which is indicated by the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a cross-section on a vertical plane of a modified form of lighting unit in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 10 is a cross-section the plane of which is indicated by the line Ill-Ill of Fig. 9.

In its preferred form, the advertising device of my invention includes means for causing an illuminated beam to traverse a predetermined path and, in a predetermined fashion, to illuminate selectively various spaces or areas for display purposes.

While the advertising device of my invention is applicable to a wide variety of different installations and uses, and many modifications of it are contemplated for especial adaptation to particular circumstances, I have chosen for illustration herein several different forms which Will at least disc of the partially indicate the range of the invention. It

is of considerable value to be able to attract passers-by into a mercantile establishment, or at least to have passers-by give close scrutiny to material displayed in the show windows thereof, and 5 a'mechanism for that purpose is particularly illustrated in the figures.

A typical installation is shown in. Figs. 1 and 2, for instance, wherein a mercantile establishment having an entrance 6 is situated with a show win- 10 dow l and a show window 8 adjacent a sidewalk 9 on a thoroughfare II. To attract the attention of passers-by and to emphasize at least some of the displayed material, such as the object l2 in the window 8, I provide a light source l3, movably mounted on a housing [4, which is adapted to travel in a predetermined path. For example, the light beam l5, which is somewhat concentrated and is of greater intensity than the surrounding illumination, travels in a generally elliptical path illustrated by the broken line I6, and in an anti-clockwise direction as view in Fig. 1, so that a spot I! of light travels along a path for example extending somewhere adjacent the center of the sidewalk 9. The light spot follows the direction of the arrows (Fig. 1) into the entrance way towards the store entrance 6, turns into the 'displaywindow B, and shines upon the object l2 bringing it out in sharp relief, and then repeats the circuit. The beam of light, passing out onto the sidewalk 9, immediately engages the attention of passers-by and,.since it travels in the general direction of the entrance 6 of the store, entices the observerfs attention to the store and focuses it upon the especially illuminated object l2. Various and sundry such light sources l3 can be utilized in any given display space, and adjacent mercantile establishments on the same street can all be so suppliedfwith the advertising devices 40 being arranged to operate in a predetermined sequence in the successive establishments, or to operate at random. In each installation the source of light I3 is located preferably behind a mask 18, such as the valance usually found in the show window of a store, and is not itself readily visible. The light beam is preferably inclined at a relatively steep angle to the sidewalk so that it is not objectionable to the passers-by. In most instances the light is arranged to move regularly in a closed path, but various modifica tions can be arranged, and I have illustrated several different mechanisms for this purpose.

As disclosed in Figs. 3 to 6, inclusive, the light source i3 is preferably mounted in a reflector 2| attached to a supporting rod 22. The supporting rod is enlarged to provide a ball 23 suitably mounted in a socket 24 attached to the housing I4 which in turn is secured, for example, to the ceiling I9 of the establishment. With this mounting of the light source I3, it can move in any predetermined path within very wide limits. Flexible conductors carry electricity to the source of light but are not shown in the drawings since such a connection is entirely standard. In order to impart appropriate movement to the light source I3, I provide an electric motor 26 disposed within the housing I4 and connected to reduction gears 21 and 28. The reduction gear 28 drives relatively slowly a shaft 29 on which is fastened a disc 3| having a radial slot 32 through which a bolt 33 is passed. The bolt has a shoulder 34 thereon abutting the disc, and a nut 36 for clamping the bolt in any selected radial position in the slot 32. A ball head 31 on the bolt is engaged by a socket 38 at one extremity of a drive rod 39, the other extremity of which is provided with a socket 4|. A ball-headed bolt 42, similar to the bolt 33, is engaged by the socket 4| and is mounted in the extremity of the supporting rod 22. This portion of the drive mechanism, when the motor 26 is energized, imparts a motion to the rod 22 which is a reciprocation to the right and left, as seen in Fig. 3.

From the gear reduction 21 a shaft carries a bevel gear 43 which meshes with a similar bevel gear 44 at one extremity of a drive shaft 46 carried in journals 41 and 48 mounted on the casing I4. The drive shaft terminates in a drive disc 49 carrying a ball-headed bolt 5| similar to the bolt 33 and preferably mounted in a similar fashion. Engaging the bolt 5| is a socket 52 at one end of a drive rod 53, the other end of which is provided with a socket 54 engaging a ballheaded bolt 56 similar to the bolt 33 but mounted in the upper end of the supporting rod 22. a

When the motor 26 is energized, the bevel gears 43 and 44 are rotated, the disc 49 and the drive rod 53 are then effective to impart a reciprocatory motion to the rod 22, but in a direction approximately at right angles to the rod 39. The combination of the two components of movement imparted to the rod 22 is effective to move the rod in virtually an elliptical path, and, since the ballheaded bolts 33 and 5| are radially adjustable, the major and minor axes of the ellipse can be varied to suit individual circumstances of installation, and can be varied from time to time.

If desired, any suitable electric current interrupting device of standard make (not shown) can be included in the power supply circuit to the motor 26, or in the circuit to the light source I3, so that the motor and the light source will operate intermittently with any desired program.

While an elliptical path or special cases of it; namely, circular and straight-line paths, will be advantageous in many cases, nevertheless there are other instances where the preferred path is an entirely irregular one, and for such installations I preferably provide the structure disclosed in Figs. 7 and 8. This arrangement is in most regards, and except where specially indicated, similar to that shown in Figs. 3 to 6, inclusive. The structure is all mounted in a housing 6| and includes an electric driving motor 62 operating a speed reduction gear 63 which, on a sub-shaft 64, carries an irregularly shaped cam disc 66 having any desired peripheral contour 61 out especially for each installation, if necessary. Cooperating with the cam disc 66 is a cam follower 68 mounted on a body 69 to which is fastened a slide plunger II reciprocably but non-rotatably mounted in a bracket I2 fastened in the casing 6|. A coil spring I2 is interposed between the bracket I2 and a nut-retained washer I4 at the terminus of the slide II, in order to hold the follower 68 against the cam 66 at all times. A ballheaded bolt I6 projects from the body 69 and is engaged by a socket I! at one extremity of a drive rod I8, the other end of which carries a socket I9 engaging a ball-headed bolt 8| in the upper end of the supporting rod 22.

A reduction gear 83 is driven by the motor 62 and, through bevel gears 84 and 86, rotates a drive shaft 8'I carried in journals 88 and 89 mounted in the casing 6|. The extremity of the shaft 81 carries a cam disc 9| having an irregular periphery of any desired contour, which is engaged by a cam follower 92 projecting from a body 93 having a squared stem 94 reciprocably mounted in a bracket 96 connected in the casing 6|. The follower 92 is urged into contact with its cam 9| by a coil spring 91 abutting a nut-retained washer 98 on the stem 94. A ball-headed bolt 99 on the slide 93 is engaged by a socket IOI at one end of a drive rod I92. A socket I03 at the other end of the drive rod I02 engages a ball-headed bolt I04 mounted on the upper extremity of the supporting rod 22. The cams 66 and 9|, being entirely irregular and preferably cut to provide any desired path of movement of the light beam, are each efiective to impart one component of movement to the rod 22 and thus to produce any twodirectional path desired, with appropriate dwells or pauses, reversals of movement, and combinations of components, to produce any fancy or plain contour of light path.

It is not essential that the light source itself be movable in order to provide a moving beam of light, and in Figs. 9 and 10 I show a modified form of structure in which the light source itself is stationary and in which variations in the character of light beam are produced. The structure shown in these figures is of relatively small size and is intended to be entirely supported in an electric outlet of the Mogul socket type. It can therefore readily replace a standard electric light globe to produce a readily installed and detached mechanism for producing the novel effects in accordance with my invention. The structure includes an attaching base III, which is preferably a screw plug adapted to fit into a Mogul socket and to act as an electrical conductor. Separated from the plug III by an insulating washer H2 is a metal canopy II3 provided with ventilating apertures II4. A base plate H6 is secured to the canopy H3 and serves as a mounting for a bracket III on which a standard light base I I8 is mounted. An electrical conductor I|9 extends from the base 8 or receptacle to electrical connection with the plug I I I. A light globe I2 I, or other suitable source of illumination, is mounted in the receptacle II8.

In order to provide varied illumination in accordance with my invention, I preferably attach to the canopy H3 and the base plate II6 a circular-cylindrical metallic shroud I22 and at diametrically opposite points of the shroud provide journal pins I23 and I24. Pivotally mounted on the journal pins is a metallic, hemispherical, opaque bowl I26 encompassing'the source of light I2I and freely oscillatable about the diameter of the hemisphere and the common axis of the pins I23 and I24. In order to oscillate the shield I26, I provide on the shield a pair of upstanding III lever arms I28 and I29, each of which is radially cut to provide a slot I 3| with which one of two crank pins I32 is in engagement. The crank pins are mounted in their respective arms I33, each of which is driven through a suitable speed reduction gear I34 and I36 mounted at the ends of an electric motor I31 fastened on the base plate H6.

The motor I3! is connected by a conductor I38 to the plug III and, when energized, rotates the crank arms I33 so that the crank pins I32 in engagement with the slots I3I rock the arms I28 and I29 and oscillate or rotate the opaque bowl I26. This movement of the bowl is utilized to cause a light beam to follow a predetermined path. At a selected area on the periphery of the shield I26 a window or lens MI is mounted. A plurality of such lenses or windows can of course be utilized, but one will serve as an example. The lens I4I preferably moves between one extreme position A, as indicated in Fig. 9, to another extreme position B, as indicated in that figure. The light beam therefore moves with its center from the line A to the line B and back again in a regular cycle, and extends, for example, from the sidewalk to a given location in the display window.

In order to give variety to the display, if desired, I provide a bracket I42, preferably of opaque material, attached to the member I22 and extending arcuately around the periphery of the shield I26. At a suitable place in its length, the bracket I42 is preferably pierced and provided with a fastening I43 to secure in position a colored window I44, so that when the lens MI is in substantial alignment with the window, the

light beam is appropriately colored. In the event it is desired, for the sake of variety or for other reasons, to have no special illumination for a predetermined zone, it is not necessary to interrupt the operation of the device but simply to provide an opaque extension I46 on the bracket I42 which will interrupt or intercept the light from the lens I4I while the lens is in registry with the opaque extension. The extension I46 is terminated so that the light beam adjacent the center line B is entirely unchanged as it comes through the lens I4I, so that a beam of white light, for example, is projected.

I claim:

1. In a sidewalk display window having an opaque area above a windowed portion thereof, an illuminating device comprising, a housing installed within the display window adjacent the opaque area above the windowed portion whereby the housing is substantially concealed from the exterior of the display window, a cover for said housing, a universal joint supported by said cover and extending both inside and outside the housing, a source of light at the outer end of said joint projecting a beam of light in a generally downwardly direction, a motor in said housing, and means operatively connecting the inner end of said joint to the motor to cyclically move said beam of light to follow a predetermined path located partly exteriorly and partly interiorly of the display window whereby to alternately illuminate a substantial portion of the sidewalk and articles disposed within the display window.

2. In a sidewalk display window having an opaque area above a windowed portion thereof, an illuminating device comprising, a housing having a cover installed within the display window adjacent the opaque area above the windowed portion whereby the housing is substantially concealed from the exterior of the display window, a universal joint supported upon a wall of said housing and extending both inside and outside the housing, a source of light at the outer end of said joint projecting a beam of light in a generally downwardly direction, a motor in said housing, and means operatively connecting the inner end of said joint to the motor to cyclically move said beam of light to follow a predetermined path located partly exteriorly and partly interiorly of the display window whereby to alternately illuminate a substantial portion of the sidewalk and articles disposed within the display window.

3. In a sidewalk display window having an opaque area above a windowed portion thereof, an illuminating device comprising, a housing installed within the display Window adjacent the opaque area above the windowed portion whereby the housing is substantially concealed from the exterior of the display window, a light supporting rod extending both inside and outside said housing and mounted upon a wall of said housing for movement in a plurality of difi'erent directions, a source of light at the outer end of said rod projecting a beam of light in a generally downwardly direction, a motor in said housing, and means operatively connecting the inner end of said light supporting rod to the motor to cyclically move said beam of light to follow a predetermined path located partly exteriorly and partly interiorly of the display window whereby to alternately illuminate a substantial portion of the sidewalk and articles disposed within the display window.

GEORGE H. FORSYTH. 

